Orchard ladder



F. F. NELSON ORCHARD LADDER July 31, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 20, 1949 INVENTOR. FREDERICK F. NELs u BY 772 mm Mwz F. F. NELSON ORCHARD LADDER July 31, 195

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 20, 1949 INVENTOR. Fnaosmcva F. N ELsoM mmwm , Abrogusis July 31, 195'] F. F. NELSON 2,562,634

' ORCHARD LADDER Filed May 20, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 :EJH. "sea ull $2 H m H FREDERICK fiixg n z m amvmm Patented July 31, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,562,634 Y ORCHARD LADDER Frederick F. Nelson, Wauconda, Wash.

Application May 20, 1949, Serial No. 94,477

3 Claims. (01387-11) This invention relates to portable elevator devices, and more particularly to a portable elevator especially adapted for use in harvesting fruit and the like.

A mainobject of the invention is to provide a novel and improved portable ladder or elevator device which is very simple in construction, safe .to use, and which is readily adjustable for use on uneven ground.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved portable elevator device for use in picking fruit from trees and for similar purposes, said device being inexpensive to manufacture, sturdy in construction, and enabling the user to readily ascend or descend from the device with only a small amount of labor.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

portable elevator device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevational detail view, with parts broken away, of the movable carriage portion of the elevator device of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged front elevational detail view, partly broken away, of the under structure of the movable carriage portion shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail view taken on line E-6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail view taken on line 1-7 of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Referring to the drawings, the base portion of the elevator device is designated generally at II. Said base portion comprises the forwardly-converging bars I2, I2 connected at their forward ends by a transverse pin or shaft I3 on which is 'rotatably mounted a ground-engaging wheel I 4 located between said forward bar ends. The rear ends of the bars I 2, I2 are connected by a transverse bar member I5 having the end portions I6, I6. Secured to said end portions and to the sides of the bars I2, I2 are the respective rearwardlydivergent handle bars I l, I 1.

Secured between the bars I2, I2 adjacent the bar member I5 is a block member I8. Designated at I 9 is a bolt which extends through block member I8 and is rigidly secured thereto by nuts 20 and 2!. Bolt I9 extends rearwardly and longitudinally of frame II. Pivotally mounted on said bolt is a cross-bar 22 which has secured thereto the widely-divergent, rearwardly and downwardly-inclined rear ground-engaging legs 23, 23. The cross-bar 22 carries at its ends the respective transverse arcuate, upwardly and inwardly-extending, multiple-apertured brackets 24, 24; The handle bars I1, I I are provided with spring-biased locking pins 25 located adjacent the respective brackets 24 and which are engageablew in the respective apertures thereof to lock, the forward portion of the frame II in adjusted pivoted position with respect to the ground-supported crossbar 22. The ends of the handle bars I I, I! are provided with pivoted hand levers 26 respectively connected by link rods 21 to the ends of'pins 25, whereby said pins may be at times retracted to release their engagement with the-arcuate brackets and to allow the forward portion of the frame I I to be adjusted angularly around the'axis of pivot bolt I9 in accordance with the slopeof the terrain on which the legs 23, 23 are positioned. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5, the ends of crossbar 22 may be fastened to the intermediateportions of the legs 23, 23 by arcuate brackets 28. 28. I

Designated at 29 is the upstanding post member, said post member having secured to its bo tom end a yoke structure 3| straddling the bars I2, I2 and having depending side lugs 30,30, The

lugs 30, 30 are connected to the respective legs 23,- 23 by link rods 32, 32. Pivoted to post member 29; at 33 is a strutmember 34. Pivoted to the lower end of strut member 34 is a rectangular box-like shoe 35 which is received ina longitudinal channel bar 36 secured between the forward portions of the frame bars I2, I2. The bottom of channel bar 36 is formed with uniformly-spaced apertures 31. Pivoted transversely in shoe 35 is Figure 7, by a coiled spring 4I having one end thereof secured to shoe 35 and the other end hooked around the lug 39. Dog 38 has an upstanding arm 42 which has-secured thereto one end of a flexible cable 43. Said cable passes through eyes 44 secured to strut 34 and has its other end fastened to post member 29. By pull- .55-

ing on the cable, dog 38 may be rotated counterclockwise to disengage lug 39 from channel 38 and to allow the position of the shoe 35 to be adjusted in said channel. This allows the angular position of post member 29 to be adjusted with respect to frame As shown in dotted view in Figure 1, this also allows the post member 29 to be positioned substantially horizontally on the frame H in an inoperative position for transportation or storage.

Designated at 45 is a movable frame comprising four vertical corner angle bars 46 held together by the respective top and bottom rectangular ring members 41 and 48, to define a sleeve which slidably embraces the post member 29. The top rectangular ring member 4'! projects forwardly and rearwardly of the post member, as shown in Figures 1 and 3. Secured to the post member 29 at its forward side and extending for the major portion of its length is the guide rail 49, the ring member 48 being open adjacent said guide rail. Secured to the corner angle bars 46 are rearwardly-extending bars 59 on which is mounted the seat 5|, said seat being secured to the bars 59 by the forward spring bracket 52 and by the rear supporting spring 53'. Secured to the angle bars 46 below bars 59 are the rearwardlyextending bars 54. Connecting bars 54 to the respective bars 58 are the vertical frame bars 55. Transverse bars 56 and 5'! respectively connect the bars 50 and the bars 54 to define a generally rectangular cage. Secured to the lower ring member 48 is a rearwardly-extending platform 58, the rear corners of said platform being connected to the respective bars 54 by tie bars 59. The lower corners of the aforementioned cage are connected to the rear angle bars 46 by respective inclined brace bars 60.

Rotatably mounted in bearing brackets BI and 62 carried by the vertical bars 55, 55 is a shaft 63.

Threaded on one end of shaft 63 and locked thereto by a key 64 is a nut member 65 formed integrally with a ratchet wheel 66. Pivoted at 61 to the vertical bar 55 adjacent nut member 65 is a dog 98 which engages ratchet wheel 66 and prevents it from rotating clockwise, as viewed in Figure 3. Shaft 63 is, therefore, allowed to rotate only counter-clockwise. Rotatably mounted on the intermediate portion of shaft 63 is a drum 69. Inside drum 69 is a large spiral spring I0. The inner end of spring 16 is secured to shaft 63 and the outer end thereof is secured to drum 69. The spring 19 is tightened when drum 69 is rotated counter-clockwise with respect to shaft 63, as viewed in Figure 3.

Designated at H is a cable which is secured at one end to the top portion of post member 29 and is secured at the other end to drum 69. Clockwise rotation of drum 69, as viewed in Figure 3, winds up the cable 1| on'the drum and causes the frame 45 to be elevated on the post member 29. The cable 1| passes beneath a fixed roller 12, rotatably secured to upper frame bars 59, and passes over a roller 13 journaled between the ends of a pair of link bars 14, 14. The other ends of link bars 14, 14 are pivotally connected to the ends of respective arms l5, 15 having collar portions 16, 16 rotatably and slidably mounted on shaft 63. The collar portions 16 are formed with outer inclined cam surfaces 11 which engage corresponding inclined, inwardly-facing cam surfaces 18 formed on the bearing brackets 62. Clockwise rotation of arms 15, as viewed in Figure 3, causes the cam surfaces 11 to engage the stationary cam surfaces 18 and to develop inward thrust on the collar portions 16. Pivotally connected to the pin 19 on which roller 13 is mounted is the end of a hand lever pivoted at 8| to one of the frame bars 50. Lever 89 is provided with a pivoted dog 82 engaging a ratchet segment 83 secured to the frame bar 50. The handle of lever 80 is provided with a release lever 84 connected by a link rod 85 to dog 82 for releasing same from engagement with ratchet segment 83. Normally, hand lever 89 is locked in position by dog 82, preventing clockwise rotation thereof, as viewed in Figure 3. This holds arms 15 and collar portions 16 locked in position.

Rotatably and slidably mounted on shaft 63 adjacent the opposite sides of drum 69 are the respective friction discs 85, 86, said discs being formed with ratchet teeth. Pivoted to the arms of a yoke member 81 secured to the lower frame bar 51 are respective dogs 88, 88 biased into engagement with the ratchet teeth of the respective friction discs 89, 86 by suitable springs, shown at 89, 89. The dogs 88 prevent the discs 86 from rotating counter-clockwise, as viewed in Figure 3.

Designated at 98, 99 are respective thrust collar members slidably and rotatably mounted on shaft 93 outwardly adjacent the respective friction discs 86, 86. The collar members 98, 90 carry arms 9|, 9| which are connected by respective link bars 92, 92 to respective sliding shoe members 93 slidably mounted on the angle bars 46, 46 at each side of post member 29. Each arm 9| has a dog 94 pivoted thereto which engages the ratchet teeth of a friction disc 99. When the shoe members are moved downwardly, the friction discs are, therefore, caused to rotate clockwise, as viewed in Figure 3. The arms 9| are biased upwardly by respective springs 95 connecting them to the upper frame bar 56.

In operation, when the operator desires to ascend the post member 29, he rotates hand lever 86 to a position wherein the thrust collars 15 exert inward thrust on the collar members 90, forcing friction discs 8'6 tightly against the sides of the drum 69. He then treads downwardly successively on the shoe members 93 while sitting in the seat 5|. This causes the discs 85 to be rotated clockwise, as viewed in Figure 3, rotating drum 6!! similarly clockwise and causing the cable H to be Wound upon the drum. This elevates frame 45. When the desired position of ascent has been reached, the dogs 94 prevent the drum from inwinding. During ascent, the spring 19 unwinds. To descend from the post member, the operator releases hand lever 89, allowing it to rotate clockwise from the position of Figure 3, thereby releasing the inward thrust on the friction discs 86 and freeing the drum 69 for reverse rotation, but allowing the operator to brake said drum during descent by means of hand lever 89. The spring 1|] is wound up by the operators descent and provides a cushioning action during said descent.

A suitable latch hook 96 is provided on the lower portion of post member 29 for securing the frame 45 in its lowered position.

As shown in Figure 1, a suitable receptacle, such as a bag 97, may be hooked to the upper rectangular ring member 41 to receive the fruit being harvested. The operator may either sit in the seat 5| during the harvesting process or may stand on the platform 58.

When the device is in its inoperative position. shown in dotted view in Figure 1, it may be readil wheeled to a desired location by means of the handle bars l1, l1.

While a specific embodiment of a fruit-harvesting ladder device has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an orchard ladder, a supporting frame, a vertically disposed post member carried by said frame, a carriage mounted on said post member for sliding movement therealong, a drum disposed within said carriage and mounted in the latter for rotation about an axis extending transversely of said carriage, a cable trained over said drum having one end fixedly secured to said drum and having it other end secured to the upper end of said post member, said cable being wound upon said drum upon rotation of the latter in one direction, a disc disposed in side by side relation with each of the side faces of said drum and mounted on said transverse axis for rotary movement thereabout in said one direction and for sliding movement into and out of frictional engagement with said side faces of said drum, hand actuable thrust means carried by said carriage and engageable with said discs for urging the latter into said position of frictional engagement, and foot actuable means operatively connected to said discs for effecting the rotary movement thereof in said one direction.

2. In an orchard ladder, a supporting frame, a post member mounted on said supporting frame for swinging movement from a position substantially parallel to said frame to a position substantially vertical to said frame, means operatively connected to said post member and engageable with said frame for positioning said post memher in select positions of said rocking movement, a carriage mounted on said post for sliding movement therealong, a drum disposed within said carriage and mounted in the latter for rotation about an axis extending transversely of said carriage, a cable trained over said drum having one end fixedly secured to said drum and having its other end secured to the other end of said post member, said cable being wound upon said drum upon rotation of the latter in one direction, a

disc disposed in side by side relation with each of the side faces of said drum and mounted on said transverse axis for rotary movement thereabout in said one direction and for sliding movement into and out of frictional engagement with the side faces of said drum, hand actuable thrust means carried by said carriage and engageable with said discs for urging the latter into said po sition of frictional engagement, and foot actuable means operatively connected to said discs for efi'ecting the rotary movement thereof in said one direction.

3. In an orchard ladder, a supporting frame, a vertically disposed post member carried by said frame, a carriage mounted on said post member for sliding movement therealong, a drum disposed within said carriage and mounted in the latter for rotation about an axis extending transversely of said carriage, a cable trained over said drum having one end fixedly secured to said drum and having its other end secured to the upper end of said post member, said cable being wound upon said drum upon rotation of the latter in one direction, a disc disposed in side by side relation with each of the side faces of said drum and mounted on said transverse axis for rotary movement thereabout in said one direction and for sliding movement into and out of frictional engagement with said side faces of said drum, hand actuable thrust means carried by said carriage and engageable' with said discs for urging the latter into said position of frictional engage ment, foot actuable means operatively connected to said discs for effecting the rotary movement thereof in said one direction, a spiral spring in said drum having one end thereof connected to said transverse axis and having the other end thereof connected to said drum, said spring being wound in the same direction as said cable whereby downward movement of said carriage places said spring in tension, and means operatively connected to said transverse axis for precluding rotation thereof in an opposite direction.

FREDERICK F. NELSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 104,141 Hall June 14, 1870 109,232 Kenzie Nov. 15, 1870 228,591 Barnes June 8, 1880 

